- Ariel releases details on its new Atom V8.
- Atom V8 boasts 475 horsepower from its 3.0-liter Hartley engine.
- The Atom runs from zero to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds.
CREWKERNE, England — Ariel has just released further details on the high-powered, V8 version of its Atom racing car, which is set to have 500 horsepower and will make the sprint to 60 mph just over 2 seconds.
The vehicle, based on the Atom 3, is currently undergoing prototype testing. A U.S.-sourced 3.0-liter Hartley V8, which was originally developed by putting two Suzuki motorcycle engines together, will be used as the powertrain.
The base V8 produces 475 horsepower and tops out at 170 mph, while a 500-hp race version will reach 200 mph. Both versions use a six-speed sequential Sadev gearbox and sprint to 60 and 100 mph in 2.3 and 5.4 seconds, respectively. That's better than Bugatti numbers — the Veyron 16.4 gallops to 60 mph in around 2.5 seconds.
Other standard features include a double-wishbone suspension, twin-pot Alcon brakes, soft-compound Toyo tires, a special gold chassis and wheels and a set of spoilers. A Race Technology instrument pack with data logging capability will be offered inside the cockpit.
Ariel plans to build 25 of these V8 racers and sell them at a price equivalent to $230,000.
Inside Line says: The "most power in a lightweight package" award still goes to Hennessey with its base Venom GT that's equipped with 725 horses. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
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mce63 says:
09:55 PM, 09/15/2010
I would much rather see Ariel do something for the lowly enthusiast. How about a kit or roller that I could put together for under $20K? As mentioned below, Arial went from a unique enthusiast car that might be obtainable if I really sacrificed to becoming just plain irrelevant.
tx8 says:
06:39 PM, 09/15/2010
$230,000 is nuts. if you want crazy fast just buy a liter bike. same thrills for less bills
jumplead says:
12:17 PM, 09/15/2010
Got to agree with compressor, kind of misses the point...
Just another trinket to be purchased by the Uber rich and then forgotten about.
compressor says:
10:09 AM, 09/15/2010
I think this completely ruins the essence of this car. This much power at this weight can only be controlled by maybe 1% of drivers. Its equivalent to the guy who buys the liter class superbike and gets lapped by guys with 600cc bikes (or even 250cc) at the track.
Good way to make $230k though - ouch.
mk2mark says:
10:01 AM, 09/15/2010
This thing weighs half of what the bastardised elise does - I think the figures are close to 500kgs for the atom and 1000kgs for the Hennessy - which equals around 950 vs 725 bhp/tonne respectively - not much of a contest.
Also the Hennessy is not going to handles corners like a car half its weight and without the weight of a ~7 litre engine out back.